Saturday, October 30, 2010

It's Kind of a Funny Story - movie review

You have to be this or that, and if you pick one, other people hate you for it, and you can’t trust anyone anymore, because they’re all after the same thing, and you see that you can never go back to how it was before..and I didn’t want to be a part of it. I didn’t want to be a part of that world. -from the book It's Kind of a Funny Story

I'm so glad its in wide release now. Really, its a sweet story from none other than Ned Vizzini, which should be on everyone's top ten book list. Its contemporary and well, I think anyone can relate to it. Honestly.

Its a story about Craig, played by the most sincere Kier Gilchrist, and his sudden panic attack, that he has to do something before it becomes very real, his suicidal feelings. One time or another, I'm sure we have all been there. It just builds. Craig really is a smart and talented guy. Its just he can only see he's the one with the problem. No one else. So he checks himself in to the hospital. There is no time wasted that he meets Bob, played Zach Galifianakis who is rather hot this year in the movies. And he is of course, quite the character in this movie. He suffers from clinical depression too. But he shows him around. And Craig soon meets others who are worse off than himself. Suddenly, he doesn't think he's crazy anymore. But his parents think he needs to stay the week. Of course, he's worried about school. About what his friends will think if they find out.

And then he meets a girl. Well, she has her scars. But possibly not as many as the girl in the book. Emma Roberts does a fine job as Noelle. She's been in the psyche ward for 21 days. And she's near the end of her stay. Naturally, Bob has to help with this romance since he's avoiding his own life.

Really, the film is uplifting, although, it does show the sadness of drugs, stress, real life situations and mental illness. But there is a unique key ingredient to help us get through life. Creativity. I so loved the "under pressure" scene. Also, some amazing art work in the movie too.

I'm very excited about this film. Its one of my favorite movies this year. I loved many of the performances by those in the hospital. And it was a very interesting cast choice for Craig's friends. Thomas Mann as Aaron and Zoe Kravitz as Nia. For many, young at heart, this will be a film they'll want for their DVD collection.

7 comments:

I'd never seen Keir in anything before. I know he's in some HBO show. I just wasn't sure if he'd be THAT CRAIG. But he was great. So was the guy who played Bob. I'm really glad I went to see this movie.